Sorghum bicolor is a multi-purpose species adapted to many agroecological
zones of Burkina Faso. In the local farming system, different types of sorghum
are cultivated together. Such farming conditions could increase gene
flow between the different types of sorghum and contribute to the evolution
of their main morphological characteristics. Understanding the effect of the
farming system on the characteristics of different types of sorghum could
contribute to building a strategy for the management of its genetic diversity.
A survey and accessions collection was carried out in ten villages selected in
two agroclimatic zones of Burkina Faso. A total of 133 accessions were collected
and thirty local names were recorded. The results revealed a significant
variability within sorghum characteristics based on farmers’ descriptions. Four
types of sorghum were identified by farmers based on their uses. These are
sweet grain sorghum, grain sorghum, sweet sorghum and dyer sorghum.
Most of farmers (54.6%) practised intercropping, and 28.86% of them intercropped
several types of sorghum in the same or nearby fields. A high coincidence
of the flowering period of the types of sorghum was observed by farmers
in both agroclimatic zones. The results also showed that most of the
farmers (55.7%) noted changes in the morphological characteristics of different
types of sorghum. These variations included the reduction in potential
yields and changes in grain taste and colour within the same type. Understanding
these variations could help conserve and sustain sorghum genetic
resources in Burkina Faso.